Trippin'...

[Malibu Barbie]

Last post for now, promise!

Just wondering if anyone has any interesting/useful/random-&-not-useful-but-interesting travel tips?!

Off to Bolivia for a month in (aah) 39 days and counting, and although annoyed about it being a TOTALLY landlocked country, am v excited! So, anyone been there before..?

Ooh, also need to get to grips with some helpful Spanish so if anyone has any useful phrases they'd like to share?? (Clean ones, o'course or we'll all be in trouble with Surf Patrol! :wink: )

xxx

[libby]

Posted on your other thread before. Your going to love Bolivia it is one of the most incredible countries on this planet, i went July/ August 03 and had one of the most amazing times ever. I went on a world challenge expedition, which was cool but i'd rather do it on my own now. Useful back up for my first time travelling though. Driving into La Paz from El Alto is one of the most amazing visual experiences i've ever had, if your on a bus fight for a seat on the window. I wont say anymore about it because words cant describe, and your going to experience it for your self. Be prepared for how poor a copuntry it is, seriously, but at the same time alot of people seem pretty happy with their lot.

The chances are you will get altitude sickness of some kind, unless you flying into santa cruz and slowly making your way to La Paz. Its nsaty and it sucks, i didnt get it too bad but about half of my team were seriously sick. La Paz smells BAD, and be very aware of petti crime. Dont go wandering off on your own. Although to be fair i did a couple of times and always felt more or less safe. Just be aware. Dont flash your cash etc etc.

Go to the pampus and the jungle, especially if wildlife is your thing, i said more about that in the other post. Go to rurranabaqe, its amazing but be careful, alot of tourists been raped there recently so DONT go anywhere on your own.

Oh yeh. if your flying to miami first and have a wait in miami airport, go to the hotel thats within the airport, get a lift to the top floor and for about 8 dollars you can use the roof top swimming pool, sauna and gym, while you wait for your flight, nice way to relax before you get serious.

Go to the Zongo Valley and Valle de Luna on day trips from La Paz, Go to Apa Apa, go to the inca ruins, and do loads of trekking.

There loads of internet cafes, and phone booths, you will have no problem keeping in touch. No hotels have loo roll so take at least one with you so in case you dont have a chance to get one. You will feel breathless and sick in La Paz, you will be bitten by bed bugs, you will witness some pretty hard to deal with poverty, but you will have the most aazing time ever.

If you want to know more email me, but im guessing you will have your itinerary more or less sorted. Phew, sorry bit of an essay!

Have an amazing time, take care though.

Libs xx

[Malibu Barbie]

OH MY GOD!!

There is a civil war in Bolivia at the moment and the President has resigned..and...and..

WE'RE NOT GOING ANYMORE!!

I'm so upset, I was so up for it...There were so many places I wanted to see there. Apparently we're probably going to go to Ecuador instead, but I want to persuade them to let us go to Peru. Always wanted to go there.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR>



xxx

[libby]

Yeh, i did wonder, the issues were bubbling away quietly whilst i was there and have kind of exploded a few time since, i was suprised World Challenge were still going to be honest. Dont stress it, I've heard Ecuador and Peru are both incredible as well (and hey you might be able to get some surfing in). South America is amazing, and you will have an awsome time wherever you go. It also means you have a bit of background on Bolivia when you feel ready to tackle it on your own. Dont stress, travelling is all about last miunte changes, you will love it wherever you go.

Libs

[babyboarder89]

still need spanish phrases?

[gulfsurfer]

the only spanish you will EVER need to know...
Uno mas cerveza por favor...

ooh and sometimes this one:
donde estas las buenos olas?

[deathfrog]

is the first one "one more beer please"

[surf patrol]

Thats definitely the 2 most important phrases for a surf trip gulfsurfer.

[gulfsurfer]

Si....Donde estas las chicas bonitas?

[babyboarder89]

quiero-i want
deme-give me
una billete de ida/ida y vuelte-one single/return ticket
tengo una problema con...-i have a problem with
no funcionan-dont work
una averia-a breakdown
por donde se va a.../how do i get to

ask for anything else (algo mas)